Josh Raynolds

On the coast, 2009, as a vintage, doesn't have a peer," said Andy Peay.  The wines are seriously concentrated, he explained, "but they're also alive, so there's no trade-off required."  He also likes the fact that alcohol levels are moderate, which emphasizes the freshness of the wines.  "There's an energy to the bouquets that's as good as we've ever achieved."  He calls '09 a vintage without extremes: everything about the season was in balance and the wines that came out of it reflect that.  "If you have balance as an ideal, then 2009 was ideal."  While Peay says that many '09s are delicious already, he also believes that they're built for the long haul.  "So hopefully people won't get carried away and drink them too young."  Note that with the 2009 vintage there is an entry-level pinot that retails for a relatively friendly price and is made in a quantity that ensures good availability.